Prospective study of ABO and Rh blood group frequency and distribution among health-care professional students at Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan

Background: The presence of immunologically competent agglutinogens in ABO and Rhesus (Rh) system makes these blood groups clinically important. The distribution frequency of these blood groups in various geographical regions is essential for the maintenance of blood bank records, for research studies, etc. This helps in safe transfusion during emergency. Many population-based research works were conducted on the prevalence of blood agglutinogens. The lack of data on these blood antigens among young health-care professional students prompted the conduct of this study on blood groups. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to ascertain blood group frequencies among health-care professional students and to obtain prospective group of Rh-negative blood donor database. Materials and Methods: Research was accomplished on 400 health-care professional students of HIMS, Hassan, in department of physiology after going through knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire. Blood grouping was done by collecting blood from participants by finger prick method on glass slides. Results: In participants, the most common blood group was O (40.8%) with decreasing prevalence of B (34.3%), A (18%), and AB (7%). The frequency of Rh-positive and negative groups was 95.5% and 4.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Among participants, blood group O and blood group AB was most and least common, respectively. The frequency of Rh positive was far higher compared to Rh-negative groups.